John O'Shea convinced Republic of Ireland will turn tables on Greece

John O'Shea says Ireland are determined to avenge their Greek tragedy when the two nations meet in Dublin next week.

Stephen Kenny’s side suffered a crushing blow to their Euro 24 qualification hopes with a 2-1 defeat in Athens in June.

Even more than the subsequent losses to France and the Netherlands, that performance is one Ireland's assistant coach is intent on fixing.

"That one sticks out. We didn’t perform anywhere near where we know we can," said O'Shea.

"We were just disappointed with how we went about it. We felt we were in shape for the game. It’s something we want to put right and I’m fairly sure we will put it right on the night."

Ireland’s disastrous start to qualifying has cast doubts over Kenny’s future in the job but O'Shea insists the pressure is no more than usual ahead of the clash on Friday 13.

"I wouldn’t say it’s a different pressure than playing France or Holland. It’s going to be a tough game but one we feel we can win, like against anyone at home really.

"If you want to be qualifying for tournaments, you have to start winning some games.

"(Criticism) is natural in football but you have to have a bit of realisation too of what opposition we’re facing and what we have to go to war with.

"If you weigh all those things up, then you’d have, you’d hope, a bit of common sense but we’ll see.

"What’s next is Greece at home. Win that, we have Gibraltar away, and let’s see where we are then."

The long-shot possibility of a play-off via the Nations League standings requires other group results to go Ireland’s way. Those permutations won't distract O’Shea’s focus from improving their own results.

"The stats men are (keeping an eye on that) but the big thing is we know we need some wins on the board."

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